“Strong freight demand and tight capacity have encouraged fleets to continue to invest in new equipment. Improving freight rates will positively impact their profitability, and the recent implementation of significant business tax cuts further contributes to their ability to expand and modernize operations,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s Director of CV Transportation Analysis and Research.

“March was the 16th consecutive month with year-over-year order gains for the trailer industry, closing a quarter that was up 28% versus last year. Examination of these preliminary results indicates widespread strength. While dry and reefer trailers should both post year-over-year net order gains above 40%, solid results were evident across the vocational trailer categories as well,” Maly added.

With springtime barely underway, orders placed in upcoming months, depending on the trailer category, could come with delivery dates deep into the fourth quarter. “The industry’s average backlog pushes into November, although that horizon is strongly influenced by both dry vans and reefers,” noted Maly.